The Fault in our Scars - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 8

Our parents were waiting for Sara and I, just outside of customs at LAX. I ran to my mom and hugged her for the first time in over a year. I felt at home again, I was comforted for the first time since Ashton got sick. Our reunion was cut short, however, by the all-too-familiar feeling of being watched. There was a group of about 30 fans gathered outside, iPhones held up to their faces, all snapping pictures of us with our families. How did they even know we were here? I wondered if they thought we had come with the boys? Being with someone in the public eye was never something I would get used to, especially while dealing with something so personal. I supposed it would be over soon, I'd be just another one of Ashton's ex girls.

I decided to ignore the fans and let go all of the pieces of my past with Ashton. I said goodbye to Sara and her family, and promised we'd see them again before the holidays. My mom helped roll my suitcase through the crowded airport and I stepped out into the brisk Los Angeles air, thankful my family moved out of the Midwest, where it actually got cold in December. I had forgotten it was winter here, summer was in full swing back in Sydney. The SoCal sun was warm though, and reminded me of Australia. I ping of sadness went through my body as I thought about Ashton half way across the world.

"I'm so glad you've decided to come home, honey," my mother said as I climbed into the car. She gave me a weird look that I couldn't quite read, until I realized I was sitting behind the steering wheel. Everything was backwards here, I was so used to the way it was in Australia. We laughed as I realized my mistake, and after I'd started I couldn't stop. It was the first time I'd laughed in weeks, it felt so good to feel happy for more than a fleeting second. I climbed across the console seperating the two front seats and took my spot in the passengers side. On the drive home, my mom gave me a few, not so subtle, sideways glances.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She finally asked. What is there to talk about? I thought to myself. Ashton's gone mental, he's blamed me for it, and he's left me a broken mess, incomparable to his own brokenness, for some other girl. 

"Maybe later, mama. I'd like to think about something else for a change." She placed her hand over my own, our hands making a tangled ball in my lap. She updated me on all the happenings with the family, told me how excited everyone was that I'd come home for the holidays, and then asked me something I was not expecting.

"Have you decided on whether or not you're going this weekend?" Going? Where? This weekend? I hadn't made any plans. None of my friends from back home even knew I was back in the country.

"Mom, what are you talking about? I don't have any plans." She'd lost her marbles while I was away. I'm glad I came home before she got demensia and really went nuts. She looked nervous, the same look she'd had when she'd accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party my friends had planned for my 15th birthday.

"Oh, well I suppose Sara brought you here without telling you... I shouldn't have said anything, I didn't know you were unaware of her plan." What plan? Sara had a plan? Surely this couldn't have anything to do with Ashton, he was still halfway across the world. He was spending Christmas at home with his family, he'd been planning their holiday since July.

"Now you have to tell me. I won't go anywhere against my will. You guys can't trick me. Tell me what her plan was." We came to a red light and she removed her hand from mine. She gave me her signature "please don't hate me for what I'm about to tell you" eyes. I automatically assumed someone had died.

"The boys agreed to play a show last minute. They'll be here Saturday night for a holiday show for the local radio station... Sara wanted you to go, she thought it might be good for you to see Ashton. She'd hoped you guys could at least talk, get some closure..." I didn't know if the car had been sucked up into a hurricane or if I was just experiencing vertigo from the blast of news that had just come my way. Why wouldn't Sara just tell me? I knew the answer. There was no way I'd agree to go. We always used to hang out backstage with the boys before their shows. She'd go backstage to see Michael and I'd be stuck there with Ashton, face to face, for the first time since his mental break, and our split. The more I thought about it, the happier I was my mom had ruined Sara's little "surprise". I absolutely would not go. The idea was terrible.

Almost as if she could read minds, Sara's name popped up on my phone, displaying a message underneath her name: I have some good news, and some bad news. Part of me wanted to play along, like I had no idea what her plan was. I typed back: Ok, bad news first. The line underneath indicated she had read the message, but there was a long pause before the typing bubble popped up. The boys are gonna be here Saturday night... How nice of her to finally tell me, after flying me halfway across the world. And the good news? I shot back, wondering what "good news" was to come out of this. Her next messaged hit me like a bus. Ashton wants to see you.

BLURB FROM MOLLIE: ello! this story is coming to an end! I'm excited for y'all to see what comes next (: It's gonna tug on those heartstrings, let me tell ya. I'm being weird. Idk. ILY BYE.